Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground | Hotel Review

PhotoCredit: HOJO Anaheim

The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground is located 1/2 mile from the entrance of the Disneyland Resort Park in Anaheim, California. This hotel offers a wide variety of convenient facilities and in room amenities for all guests to enjoy.

*This post contains affiliate links. I did receive a discounted rate for my stay with no obligation to write this article. All opinions in this article are my own.LocationHoward Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground (also known as HOJO) is a short 8 minute walk to the front of the security checkpoint gate at the Disneyland Resort Park. This makes it very convenient to leave the Park to take a rest or a mid day swim and reenter the Park later in the day if you'd like.Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground1380 S. Harbor Blvd.Anaheim, CA 92802 Direct: 714.776.6120 Toll Free: 800.422.4228TAKE NOTE: Beginning November 1st, 2019 - April 2020 Renovation will begin on Building 2 and the Garden Pool will temporarily be CLOSED!RoomFor my stay I was in one of the newly renovated rooms in Building 1. I've only stayed here once so I'm not familiar with all the room choices but I do know there are several room options to choose from to accommodate a variety of family sizes and even those with young children.My particular room was in Building 1 on the 6th floor with a view of the Water Playground and views of the Matterhorn at Disneyland. I stayed in two queen beds premium room (the beds were very comfortable), very large bathroom, coffee bar with refrigerator and microwave, dresser, desk, closet with safe, tv, alexa and eating area with a decent size table with bench seating. The room was extremely spacious and the bathroom had great lighting perfect for getting ready for your day. Also in room on the wall was a thermostat to control the air condition/heat unit. The vent was on the wall below the ceiling which I appreciate because it gives more airflow to the entire room.

My room photos

If you didn't know it is rare these days to find a hotel with both a refrigerator and microwave available in the room. This comes in handy for my family because being that we have food allergies, I was able to stop off at the local Walgreens for my gluten free food items and use both microwave and refrigerator to prepare my snacks when I wasn't at Disneyland.*Not all rooms have the same amenities I had, please see hotel listing for each room.Other On Site Amenities *Complimentary iMac internet stations with printing*Complimentary Wi-Fi access in all rooms and public areas*Complimentary parking surrounding the entire property*24-hour front desk*Mainstreet Market (open 7am-11pm) offer a variety of snacks and souvenirs *Games room, featuring electronic games as well as some classics like Foosball & Air Hockey!*Two coin-operated Laundromats*Water & soft drink vending machines throughout the property*Convenient shuttle stop & waiting area for all airport, tour and resort trolley busses*Two Pools/Water Features- Castaway Cove Water Playground & Garden PoolHow to get to Disneyland It shouldn't take you more than a 10 minute walk depending on your speed. I walk at a normal pace and it took me less than 8 minutes.There are two ways to walk to the Disneyland Resort. They should both take the same amount of time, but one way often has less people walking than the other.Directions:After exiting the HOJO front entrance, go towards the corner of S.Harbor and W. Manchester with the HOJO Anaheim hotel behind you. Continue Straight on S. Harbor crossing the street, Mimi's Bistro Cafe will be on the corner there. This is where you have your two options to continue to the Park.

Screenshot from Google Maps Satelite

Option 1 (on map is the YELLOW line):Continue on S. Harbor by walking straight on the sidewalk and then cross the street at the light by the IHop where you will see the large sign that says Disneyland Resort. Follow the path towards the Security checkpoint at Disneyland Resort.Option 2 (on map is the BLUEline):Cross the street at that light of W. Manchester and S. Harbor (in front of the Mimi's Cafe). Once you cross the street take a left and follow the sidewalk until you see the Public Bus Stop covered benches. Slightly after the last bus bench on the right there will be an opening in the gate with a pathway. Continue straight through that pathway. Follow the signs toward Disneyland Resort.

Option 2 walking photos

One thing to note about Option 1 and Option 2 is that at night when returning back to the HOJO, I noticed on Option 2 many in the Homeless Community camp out at the Bus Stops. They often block part of the sidewalk; however, I didn't have any problems and I was walking alone on my trip. If you are concerned about this you might want to travel back to the hotel using the Option 1 route in reverse. During the Daytime there was zero problems on either route.My ThoughtsOverall I had a pleasant stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground. The room I was in was very spacious and the beds were very comfortable. I did not have the opportunity to partake in the on site amenities offered this trip, but the pool and water park look like so much fun for all ages to enjoy. The walk to and from Disneyland was not bad at all, even when my legs were extremely tired it didn't feel like it was so far away. I would highly recommend staying at this hotel and I look forward to booking my next visit with them. As always I appreciate you booking the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground with my travel partner *Get Away Today for some amazing deals. Don't forget to use discount code: JANEL to save an additional $10*I do receive a small commission on vacation sales through the link.